Tobacco - Woodland

SKU # S346

Latin Name: Nicotiana sylvestris

Category: SEEDS

Seeds Per Packet: 2,200

British Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit

Star Flower, they called it, for its cluster of tubular blooms are like a shower of brilliant white stars. The front page feature of Park Seed's 1904 Floral Guide, it still steals the scene today with its broad, light green leaves and fragrant flowers that stay open all day. Shelter from strong winds. Self sows.

Missouri Botanical Garden Plants of Merit award winner!

Lifecycle: Annual

Hardiness: Half Hardy Annual

Color: Showers of white starry blooms

Size: 4-5' h x 2.5' w

Season: Summer to fall

Seed to Bloom: 14 weeks

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Rich, moist, well-drained

Poisonous

Symbol Legend & Hardiness Codes

We use several symbols and abbreviations in our catalog:

: especially fragrant
: great for containers
: great cut flower
: deer-resistant
: heat and/or drought tolerant
: attracts butterflies
:hummingbird favorite
: Honey Bee Favorite
: Native Flower

Hardiness codes:

HA -- Hardy Annual. Hardy annuals can stand some frost, so sow in the open ground well before the last spring frost date, or, in warm winter areas, sow in fall.
HHA -- Half-hardy Annual. Half-hardy annuals will survive a very light frost but are planted in the open at the last spring frost date or a little later. They can also be started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost.
TA -- Tender Annuals. Tender annuals are warm weather plants that cannot withstand any frost and prefer warm nights. Tender annuals with long weeks to bloom (16-18+) should be started indoors 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost.

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Availability:

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$3.00

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Growing Guide

Growing Companions

Nicotiana sylvestris Growing Instructions

Sowing Instructions:

Depth: Surface sow. Requires light.
Sprout Time: 10-21 days
Starting Indoors: Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Keep at 60-75°F and provide light. Cover with plastic to retain moisture until germination occurs.
Starting Outdoors: Direct sow after last frost. Thin to 2' apart.

When to Set Outside

A heat-loving annual, Nicotiana should be set outside after all danger of frost has passed.

Placement & Cultivation

Nicotiana makes an excellent border and will fit right in with any cottage garden—this plant is most impressive when planted en masse, 2' apart. It will do well in full sun or part shade and prefers a soil that is rich and moist, yet well-drained; keep in mind that it will likely self-sow. May require staking.
Grows With: Cleome, Cosmos
Water Use: Medium
Watering Details: Keep fairly moist; be sure to water regularly for best results, keeping a close eye on soil dampness when the weather is particularly hot and dry.
Soil pH: Prefers slightly acidic soil but is tolerant of a wide range of pH levels.
Fertilizer: No need to fertilize unless growing in containers, in which case an all-purpose granular, organically-sourced fertilizer can be used. Fertilizing every other week with a liquid feritlizer is also adequate. If soil is especially poor, mix in about 4" of compost prior to planting.
Diseases & Pests: Nicotiana can be susceptible to aphids, particularly when the air is very dry; you can easily prevent this problem by regularly hosing them down, taking care not to break the delicate stems or leaves. If an infestation does occur, an insecticidal soap can be used to safely remedy the issue. Tobacco budworm can be troublesome later in the summer. Try to hand pick them at dusk when they come out to feed. If necessary, treat with an organically-friendly insecticide, but not one that is broad-spectrum, as this will negatively affect beneficial insects which parasitize the budworms. Tilling in annual beds in autumn can help destroy budworm pupae trying to overwinter, thus decreasing populations the following year. Mosaic virus is another possible trouble spot, but spraying a mixture of 20% nonfat dry milk/80% water on healthy plants can prevent transmission of the virus. If you suspect disease to be present, such as noticeable distorted growth or discoloration of leaves, immediately remove and destroy these plants to prevent spread to healthy plants.

What You’ll Grow

Plant: A cluster of large ovate leaves will form at the base of the plant, with a slender flower stem reaching about 4.5’ in height. Stems are also leaved, with the light green foliage decreasing in size moving up the stem.
Flowering: Showers of slender white trumpets, star-shaped at the end
Seeds: The seed is very tiny, less than the size of a pin-head, and is produced inside of a two- or four-valved capsule. The capsule will split open and spill the seeds if not collected.
When to Cut: Nearly to fully open flowers

Fun Fact

Unlike most Nicotiana flowers, this one stays open all day.

Tobacco - Woodland

Symbol Legend & Hardiness Codes

Hardiness codes:

100% Guaranteed

Growing Companions

Nicotiana sylvestris Growing Instructions

Sowing Instructions:

When to Set Outside

Placement & Cultivation

What You’ll Grow

Fun Fact

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Tobacco - Woodland

Symbol Legend & Hardiness Codes

Hardiness codes:

100% Guaranteed

Growing Companions

Nicotiana sylvestris Growing Instructions

Sowing Instructions:

When to Set Outside

Placement & Cultivation

What You’ll Grow

Fun Fact

Notify Me

Email A Friend